Simple Hiking Clothing Guide and Tips

December 3, 2018

Most people hike during seasons of mild weather instead of winter. But the temperature often changes throughout the day. So, it is important to take the caution in mind and dressed in a way that can save you in most situations during hiking. But, sometimes understanding the situation and wearing can be a confusing thing for even the experienced hikers. So, you should check out this hiking clothing guide before planning for it. Why is clothing so important? Because a better clothing will not only save you from the rough weather and atmosphere but also will provide the necessary comfort to make the hiking journey enjoyable.

Hiking Clothing Guide – What to Wear During The Trip

While planning a backpacking trip, one shouldn’t forget to consider carrying proper clothing along with medication and foods. In this article, we will discuss the upper, lower clothing and footwear considerations for most of the hiking conditions.

1. Use of Layer Clothing Tips for Upper and Lower Part

Hikers should dress in layers. They can add or remove layers to quickly warm or cool their body temperature. This layer clothing will make using the clothes much easier and reduce overall hassles for the hikers.

1st layer: Next to the Skin

The layer of clothing next to the skin should keep hikers dry. Hikers usually choose a fabric that draws moisture away from the skin. So, a synthetic fabric made from a polyester such as polypropylene is a good choice for this layer.

Synthetic fabrics are made by people. Other hikers choose wool for the first clothing layer. This fabric keeps hikers warm even when it becomes wet.

2nd Layer: Clothing in Middle

The middle layer of clothing should keep hikers warm. It also should move moisture outward. Many hikers prefer a warm, lightweight fabric called fleece for this layer. Fleece allows sweat and body odors to pass through to the outer layers. The middle layer of clothing should be prepared considering the hiking areas in mind.

3rd Layer: The Top Clothing Part

Hikers’ top layer of clothing should be windproof and water-resistant. Hikers should have a breathable jacket. The jacket’s fabric should allow air to pass through it. This feature helps prevent hikers from becoming too warm. Many hikers wear nylon jackets. Some hikers wear polypropylene pants. Some hikers bring a breathable nylon waterproof jacket in case of heavy rain. Jackets that are not breathable should have slits to allow air to pass through.

Other Considerations

However, Hikers should not wear cotton clothing such as jeans. Cotton stays wet for a long period of time. It can make hikers cold and uncomfortable. If you are planning to fish with reels during the trip, you should consider that your dress might get wet. So, you should think of something for these situations. Some hikers bring a change of clothing. They change into dry clothing if their other clothing becomes wet.

2. Proper Outdoor Headwear

While choosing the right hiking headwear, just select the one that provides comfort and protection at the same time. There are a lot of top quality hiking hats out there in the market, which doesn’t compromise the protection and provides proper comfort.

In selecting outdoor caps and hat, try to find the one with proper ventilation and do not get wet easily. Having protection is also a must, as, without proper cover, you can get exhausted in the heat of the sun.

Managing the hiking clothes in a backpack is a very tricky way to reduce overall hassle during the trip. If you can keep the clothes arranging the way you are going to use them, then it will not only save space but also will reduce time.

Once you reach the top of a climb, take off the wet layer of clothing directly next to your skin and replace it with a dry layer. You might think that polar fleece is lighter than wool. This is not always true. When I weighed a wool sweater and a fleece jacket of the same size and thickness, there was less than an ounce difference. However, if both get wet, the fleece will be lighter and will dry faster.

When packing your clothes, remember to place your varied layers where you can get them easily. The polar fleece doesn’t do you any good if it is at the bottom of your pack and is too much trouble to get to. For desert hiking areas, strive for light, white-cotton shirts, pants, and hats, but remember to bring warm clothing for the nighttime. Clear desert skies do not hold the daytime warmth.

4. Footwear Tips For Hikers

Hikers need proper footwear. Many people wear hiking boots. Hiking boots have thick soles and deep grooves to help hikers grip surfaces. There are many boots you can use during the hiking. Trail-running or trail-hiking shoes are low-impact, light on your feet, and cheaper to replace than full leather boots.

However, weak, injury-prone ankles may fare better with the stability of a full leather boot. Hike your shoes dry to prevent them from shrinking. Some hikers wear sneakers or other types of walking shoes. These hikers usually hike on flat, smooth terrain.

Hikers choose boots or shoes that fit comfortably. Shoes that are too tight can cause hikers’ feet to become sore. Hikers should break in new footwear. They should wear boots or shoes for several days before hiking. This activity allows the footwear to conform to the shape of hikers’ feet.

5. Shocks Considerations

Experienced hikers usually wear wool socks or socks made of synthetic fabric blends. They do not wear cotton socks. Hikers’ feet often perspire and form moisture. Cotton often stays wet. The wet material can rub against the skin and cause blisters on hikers’ feet. These bubbles of skin filled with a liquid usually are painful. Some hikers wear a pair of thin liner socks made of polyester and nylon to soak up moisture.

If your boots start to leak in bad weather, or you are using lightweight boots or running shoes that are not waterproof, use a couple of plastic bags as outer socks, and put your shoes on over them to help keep your feet dry. Leave the bags loose over your toes so you will not punch holes in them. Gallon-sized zip-locked bags work well. Consider wearing waterproof breathable socks and running shoes for wet hiking. Any boot, no matter how expensive, will not protect your feet from wetness in a heavy rain.

Last Few Words

Do not leave home without essential clothing for cold weather, even if the forecast looks good. The two most essential items are a rain suit or rain jacket and extra wool sweater or fleece jacket. Other items are a little less important depending on the climate, the length of your stay, the season, and the distance back to your vehicle. It is easy to carry too much, but it can be deadly to carry too little.

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